Grants for manufacturers

Dual-use investment aid for defence, vehicle and aircraft manufacturing (1st call)

A tax incentive for plants that make weapons, ammunition, motor vehicles, vehicle parts, aircraft or military vehicles: the investment cost is deducted from income with a 100% uplift (super-deduction), plus fast-track licensing. It targets large industrial projects – consultants cite a €3 million minimum.

Grants for tourism and farm-product processing businesses in Chios town, Mytilene and five small North Aegean islands

A 50–70% grant for existing small and medium businesses investing in tourism or in processing farm products. Only investments in Chios town, Mytilene town, Ikaria, Fournoi, Oinousses, Psara and Agios Efstratios qualify. Grants go up to €210,000.

• only some areas

EIC Accelerator – funding for breakthrough startups and SMEs

A grant of up to €2.5 million (covering 70% of costs) and, if you want, €1–10 million of equity from the EIC Fund for companies with breakthrough technology close to market. It is for startups and SMEs. Competition is very tough and there are three stages, ending with a jury interview.

• for research projects
• for innovative start-ups

LEADER Karditsa–Thessaliotida – 1st call for private investments, training and cooperation (P3-77-4.1)

Grants for investments in rural Karditsa and Thessaliotida: processing of farm and other products, crafts, tourism, services, energy and water saving, plus training and cooperation. €2.95m in total, with aid of 65–100% depending on the action. Applications until 15 December 2026.

• only some areas

Job-retention subsidy for fur-industry businesses (DYPA)

For fur-industry businesses that put staff on suspended contracts in 2022–2025 because of the effects of the war in Ukraine. For 24 months DYPA pays the employees' social-security contributions and up to €550 a month of their net pay. Afterwards you must keep the jobs for another 12 months.

Epicheiro Sterea – investment grants for existing SMEs in Central Greece

A 70% grant (75% for green projects) for existing small and medium businesses in Central Greece that invest in machinery, premises, software or promotion. Larger plans (€200k–€800k) can instead get 40–60%. You need two closed financial years (2023 and 2024), and applications are ranked against each other.

LEADER Pella – 1st call for private business investments (P3-77-4.1)

Grants of up to 65% for small-business investments in rural Pella: processing of farm and other products, crafts, tourism and services. Businesses still being set up can apply. Applications until 18 December 2026; they are scored and ranked.

• only some areas

LEADER Imathia – 1st call for private business investments (P3-77-4.1)

Grants for small businesses investing in rural Imathia: 65% for units that process farm and other products and for forestry units, plus separate actions for crafts, tourism, services and energy or water saving. Businesses still being set up can apply. Applications until 14 Jan 2027; they are scored and ranked.

• only some areas

In-company staff training in strategic technologies (STEP) and defence & security

ESPA pays 50% of training your staff in cutting-edge technologies (digital, clean energy, biotech/health, defence). It is for companies with at least 100 employees. The catch: your total training spending must not drop below your usual level, and money goes first come, first served.

• first come, first served

Investment grants for SMEs in strategic technologies (STEP) and defence (pre-announced)

A 50% grant (67% for new firms) for SME investments in cutting-edge technologies (digital, clean energy, pharma/biotech) or defence, up to €200,000 per company. Only a pre-announcement is out, so you cannot apply yet and terms may change.

LEADER Kavala – 1st call for private investments, training and cooperation (P3-77-4.1)

Kavala's Local Action Group is taking applications for private investments in the rural parts of the prefecture, plus training and cooperation, until 18 December 2026. Grant rates, budget and eligible activities are set in the call package, which you need to read before applying.

• only some areas

Research & Innovation Partnerships in Attica (ATT130)

A grant for a research project your company runs together with a university or research centre in Attica. Projects can be up to €400,000 in total and mainly pay researchers' salaries. You need a research partner and at least one full year of closed accounts; proposals are ranked against each other.

• for research projects

LEADER Islands of Attica – 1st call for private investments (P3-77-4.1)

Grants of 60–80% for small-business investments on the islands of Attica (Aegina, Agistri, Salamina, Poros, Hydra, Spetses, Kythira–Antikythira) and in Troizinia–Methana: processing, crafts, tourism and food service, services, and energy or water saving. Businesses still being set up can apply. Applications from 20 Oct 2026 to 10 Feb 2027; they are scored and ranked.

• only some areas

EIC Pre-accelerator 2027 – €0.5–1 million grants for deep-tech start-ups in 'Widening' countries such as Greece

A €500,000–€1,000,000 grant (70% of costs) for a single deep-tech start-up or SME based in a 'Widening' country such as Greece, to take its technology from the lab towards the market within up to 2 years. The call opens on 5 May 2027 and closes on 18 Nov 2027. Competition is tough and the company covers the other 30%.

• for research projects
• for innovative start-ups

I3 – Interregional Innovation Investments 2026

Grants of €2–10 million per project for consortia from different regions that bring mature innovations (from TRL 6) to market in the digital and green transition and smart manufacturing. 70% of costs must go into investments in companies, mainly SMEs. The coordinator must be a public or non-profit body, so a business joins as a partner.

• for research projects
• for innovative start-ups

LEADER Ioannina–Thesprotia – 1st call for private investments (P3-77-4.1)

Grants of up to 65% for small-business investments in rural Ioannina and Thesprotia (not in the city of Ioannina): processing, forestry, crafts, tourism and services. Businesses still being set up can apply. Applications from 20 Oct 2026 to 4 Feb 2027.

• only some areas

LEADER Larissa (AENOL) – 1st call for private investments (P3-77-4.1)

Grants for small-business investments across the Larissa regional unit except the city of Larissa: processing of farm and other products, forestry, crafts, tourism, services, and energy or water saving. Businesses still being set up can apply. Applications from 23 Oct 2026 to 28 Jan 2027; the aid rate for each action is in the call.

• only some areas

Investment grants for medium and large companies in strategic technologies (STEP) and defence, outside Attica (pre-announced)

A 40–60% grant, up to €3m, for large investments (€2m–€6m) by medium and large companies in STEP technologies or defence. It must be a new production activity outside Attica. Only a pre-announcement exists so far.

Planned: grants for new micro, small and medium businesses in Central Greece

Central Greece is preparing a €10 million call for business plans of new micro, small and medium businesses in smart-specialisation (RIS3) sectors. Expected in the second half of 2026; amounts, rates and rules are not yet announced.

• new businesses only

Social entrepreneurship & crafts (new Development Law scheme – expected)

A new Development Law scheme for social cooperative enterprises, cooperatives and micro craft businesses. The law already sets a low minimum project of €50,000 and no application fee. Expected by the end of 2026 – dates and budget are not official yet.

"New Opportunity": start-up grants for unemployed and part-time workers in Epirus (ΠΗΠΕ-06)

A 70–90% grant to start your own very small business in Epirus if you are unemployed or work part-time or seasonally. Your business plan can be €10,000–€50,000 (up to €60,000 with more than one founder). Closes 21 Oct 2026; applications are ranked against each other.

• new businesses only
• for unemployed founders

Investment support for critical (STEP) technologies in Eastern Macedonia & Thrace

An €8m scheme in Eastern Macedonia & Thrace for investments in 'critical technologies' under the EU STEP platform (digital and deep tech, clean tech, biotech). Planned for November 2026 – January 2027 and open to businesses of any size, including start-ups. Terms have not been announced.

EUIPO SME Fund 2026 – vouchers for patents, plant varieties and geographical indications

The EU refunds part of the fees to protect an invention or a plant variety: up to €2,500 for a patent, up to €1,500 for a plant variety, and up to €2,000 for a geographical indication for craft or industrial products. The application is simple and online. Note: trade mark and design vouchers are used up for 2026, and the rest are first come, first served.

• first come, first served

Hiring subsidy for 5,000 unemployed people over 50 in private businesses (DYPA)

If you hire an unemployed person over 50 full-time, DYPA pays for 18 months €628 a month for men, €816.40 for women or €1,004.80 for long-term unemployed people (over 3 years registered) — up to €18,086 per hire. Alternatively, under the EU block exemption rules, you get 50% of the cost up to €1,000 a month for 12 or 18 months. You must not have cut staff, and you keep the worker for the whole period.

Hiring subsidy for unemployed women, with priority for mothers (DYPA)

If you hire an unemployed woman, DYPA pays 70% of wages and contributions for 12 months — 80% if she is the mother of a child up to 15, long-term unemployed, or the job is part-time. The subsidy can be extended by 3 months. Places are limited, so apply early.

European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) in Greece – free or discounted digital services

Greece's European Digital Innovation Hubs help you digitalise your business: a digital maturity check, testing technologies (such as AI) before you buy, training and help finding funding. Services are usually free or discounted. You get no cash; the value of the service counts as state aid.

TEPIX III Guarantee Fund – General Entrepreneurship (state-guaranteed bank loans)

You borrow from a bank and the Hellenic Development Bank (HDB) guarantees 70% of the loan, with no guarantee fee. The bank therefore asks for less collateral (at most 30% of the loan) and the interest rate is cut by 2–3 points for the first 2 years. The bank still decides whether to lend.

TEPIX III Guarantee Fund – micro and small businesses up to 5 years old (80% state guarantee)

For young businesses up to 5 years old: HDB guarantees 80% of the bank loan with no guarantee fee and cuts the interest rate by 2–3 points for the first 2 years. Investment loans up to €1.5m and working capital up to €200,000. The bank still decides whether to lend.

• new businesses only

Just Transition: investment grants for existing SMEs in Western Macedonia and the Megalopolis area (Phase C)

A 70% grant (micro and small firms) or 60% (medium firms) for sizeable investments by existing businesses in Western Macedonia and the Megalopolis area. Projects must be between €300,000 and €12m. Apply by 16 Nov 2026; proposals are ranked against each other.

• only some areas

Just Transition: investment grants for new and start-up SMEs in Western Macedonia and the Megalopolis area (Phase C)

A 70% grant (micro and small firms) or 60% (medium firms) for anyone setting up a new business, or who started after 1 Jan 2025, in Western Macedonia or the Megalopolis area. Projects must be €300,000–€12m, so it suits serious investments. Apply by 16 Nov 2026.

• only some areas
• new businesses only

Paid 6-month work-experience placements for unemployed people aged 30+ in private businesses (DYPA)

Your business hosts an unemployed person aged 30+ for 6 months and DYPA pays their allowance directly. They gain experience and you try out a worker without paying their allowance. Applications stay open until the budget runs out.

Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs – 1 to 6 months with an experienced entrepreneur abroad

If you are starting a business or have less than 3 years' experience as an entrepreneur, you can spend 1 to 6 months working with an experienced entrepreneur in another country. The EU pays €600–€1,200 a month towards travel and living costs, depending on the country. It does not cover everything and you need a full business plan.

• new businesses only

TEPIX III Microcredit Fund (micro-loans of €3,000–€25,000)

A small loan of €3,000–€25,000 for micro businesses and the self-employed, with no property collateral. 60% of the loan is interest-free (75% for women-led businesses) and free mentoring is included. You need at least 1 year in business.

Just Transition hiring subsidy: up to 100% of wage costs for 12 months (DYPA)

If you hire an unemployed person full-time in Western Macedonia, the Megalopolis area or a small island, DYPA pays €829.50 a month (70%) for 12 months, or €1,185 a month (100%) if the worker comes from lignite or energy. Money is given until it runs out, so apply quickly.

• only some areas
• first come, first served